Dickinson's Embossed Cards. First Specimen Book

Printed title in blue and red within an embossed gilt ornamental frame, one printed "Notice" from the publisher dated

1842·Boston

by (Trade Catalogue, Embossing)

Boston: Samuel N. Dickinson, 1842. Printed title in blue and red within an embossed gilt ornamental frame, one printed "Notice" from the publisher dated June, 1842, 49 specimens of embossed cards (many tinted, some printed), all mounted to stiff card stock; and 7 sheets of "Embossed Specimens of Printed Billets" sewn to a stiff printed card. Oblong 4to. Bound in an album of contemporary half calf and marbled paper boards with red leather label on upper cover stamped in gilt "Dickinson's Embossed Cards," calf shows much deterioration and corrosion, although the sewing is still intact, 28 specimen cards have been removed and are no longer present, some minor soiling and foxing, but generally vey clean and sound internally, custom morocco backed folding box. Printed title in blue and red within an embossed gilt ornamental frame, one printed "Notice" from the publisher dated June, 1842, 49 specimens of embossed cards (many tinted, some printed), all mounted to stiff card stock; and 7 sheets of "Embossed Specimens of Printed Billets" sewn to a stiff printed card. Oblong 4to. Christian Gobrecht's Copy. With a very interesting presentation note from a previous Philadelphia owner, Alfred Darrach, dated 1928, affixed to the front pastedown, identifying the original owner (his grandfather) as Christian Gobrecht (1785-1844), artist, engraver, embosser, inventor, engraver to the U.S. Mint, and, from 1840-1844, the 4th United States Engraver of the Mint, where he was responsible for the creation of several new models and designs, including the famous Seated Liberty design which appeared on a variety of American coins from 1836 through 1890. Gobrecht designed many notable medals, coins and dies during his career, but he also "invented a speaking doll, and later a camera lucida. He also produced engravings for calico printers, and dies for bookbinders. He engraved the brass dies for embossing the Morocco covers of the Boston Token, from 1831 - 1836, as well as the eagle cover of the Philadelphia Token. Among the medals he engraved were the Charles Willson Peale medal, the Franklin Institute medal, etc ..." - DAB. A remarkable specimen album in and of itself, all the more so for having belonged to one of America's most important engravers. We cannot say for sure, but it is entirely likely that if Gobrecht himself did not design many of the dies for this embosser, he may have used the album for his own work and possibly removed the cards which are no longer present.
(Inventory #: 232013)

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